Mobile concrete distributing boom apparatus

ABSTRACT

A separate mobile concrete distributing unit includes a pair of telescoped horizontal pipes of a rigid metal and one of which is mounted on a boom and the other of which is pivotally mounted on a towable or movable frame and includes an input pipe means projecting in the opposite direction to produce a counter balance arrangement. The frame is a wheeled assembly having hydraulic drive motors mounted on one or more of the supporting wheels to permit limited movement of the assembly on site; and convenient loading upon a trailer for between site movement. The one telescoped pipe is spaced from the other pipe with a close tolerance to define a sealing gap. This gap is sealed with a flexible replaceable seal or it may be sealed by a hardened ring on one of the pipes to eliminate the need for the flexible seal. The seal is placed at the pipe end which is a low pressure point. Stabilizing arms are pivotally attached to the frame to define a three-point stabilizing and ground support. The arms may be raised and folded to an over-the-road transport position. The boom and pipe are rotatably supported by a carriage having a sprocket with a chain looped about the sprocket and a pair of idler gears. A pair of hydraulic cylinder units are connected to the opposite end of the chain and by expansion and contraction move the chain about the sprocket to pivot the sprocket carriage and boom.

United States Patent Westerlund et al.

[111 sesame Jan. 14, 1975 MOBILE CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING BOOM APPARATUS [75] Inventors: Robert E. Westerlund, Mequon;

Herbert A. Westerlund; George H. Binsfeld, both of Port Washington, all of Wis.

[73] Assignee: Construction Forms, Inc.,

Cedarburg, Wis.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 317,199

[52] US. Cl 239/165, 417/900, 259/169 [51] Int. Cl. B05b 1/20, B280 7/16 [58] Field of Search 169/25; 239/165, 178, 187,

Primary ExaminerRobert S. Ward, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Andrus, Sceales, Starke & Sawall [57] ABSTRACT A separate mobile concrete distributing unit includes a pair of telescoped horizontal pipes of a rigid metal and one of which is mounted on a boom and the other of which is pivotally mounted on a towable or movable frame and includes an input pipe means projecting in the opposite direction to produce a counter bal ance arrangement. The frame is a wheeled assembly having hydraulic drive motors mounted on one or more of the supporting wheels to permit limited movement of the assembly on site; and convenient loading upon a trailer for between site movement. The one telescoped pipe is spaced from the other pipe with a close tolerance to define a sealing gap. This gap is sealed with a flexible replaceable seal or it may be sealed by a hardened ring on one of the pipes to eliminate the need for the flexible seal. The seal is placed at the pipe end which is a low pressure point. Stabilizing arms are pivotally attached to the frame to define a three-point stabilizing and ground support. The arms may be raised and folded to an over-the-road transport position. The boom and pipe are rotatably supported by a carriage having a sprocket with a chain looped about the sprocket and a pair of idler gears. A pair of hydraulic cylinder units are connected to the opposite end of the chain and by expansion and contraction move the chain about the sprocket to pivot the sprocket carriage and boom.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures MOBILE CONCRETE DISTRIBUTING BOOM APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is particularly directed to a concrete distributing boom apparatus for interconnection between a concrete pumping unit and a discharge point from which the concrete is distributed.

Developments in concrete construction methods include the mechanized transfer of concrete from a source,-such as a ready-mix concrete truck or the like, to a relatively remote location on the building or construction site. This permits the positioning of the heavy duty concrete trucks at a convenient location in spaced relation to the application points and avoids the difficult and time consuming manual transfer of the concrete from the truck to the application point. Thus, even with motorized wheelbarrows and the like, the transfer requires a suitable path as well as a significant amount of time to effectively distribute the concrete. This not only results in a relatively high labor cost but also results in a significant delivery time for the readymix truck or the like.

As a result, various concrete pumping systems have been developed wherein the concrete material is directly discharged into a pump unit and carried through suitable elongated conduit means to a discharge location. For example, the recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,280 discloses a truck mounted concrete distributing boom connected to a concrete pump. The selfsupporting boom construction includes a vertical and lateral location of the discharge end of the boom with the truck mounted pump providing for the transfer through the conduit means. Other systems have employed a mobile concrete pump unit with a detachable conduit hose of a flexible material which is manually mounted along a predetermined path or the like. The flexible hose is heavy and requires a plurality of workmen to manipulate the hose. Further, it is extremely difficult to evenly distribute the discharging material and additional personnel is required to more evenly spread the concrete material.

Although the prior art devices provide a significant improvement over the use of the wheelbarrow and other batch transfer containers, they have certain limitations in connection with the efficient and rapid distribution of the concrete material. Thus, where the concrete conduit means must be especially aligned and supported along a given path, the movement from one location to another is relatively time consuming. Concrete pumps, trucks and similar devices are relatively heavy and restrict the placement to appropriate accessible and support areas. Although concrete mounted boom units such as disclosed in the above patent have therefore provided certain advantages, they are relatively expensive and therefore are limited in application.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is particularly directed to a separated mobile distributing accessory apparatus which includes a telescopic boom assembly for distributing of the concrete with an inlet conduit means which is separately connected to a suitable concrete pumping device separate from the mobile distributing apparatus. The separate distributing apparatus has been found to provide a very versatile and relatively inexpensive unit which can be located adjacent or spaced from a pump means and readily adapts itself to various construction requirements. Generally, in accordance with the present invention, a supporting mobile frame has a distributing boom assembly rotatably supported thereon by a carriage for rotation about a vertical axis which provides for circumferential location of the discharge end of the boom assembly. The boom assembly'includes a conduit means including a rotating joint having an axis common to that of the carriage such that the inlet portion of the conduit means is fixed or stationary and extends outwardly for releasable connection to a pumping member. The discharge portion of the conduit means is carried by the rotating carriage and projects outwardly in the direction generally opposite that of the inlet portion for selective angular positioning of the discharge end of the boom assembly. The generally opposite projection of the inlet and outlet portions from the rotating joint provides a counter balancing effect and minimizes the tipping force created by the outwardly projecting telescopic discharge portion. Thus, the discharge portion of the boom assembly includes at least two telescopic conduit members to permit extension and retraction of the outermost discharge or end portion. The one conduit member is affixed to the carriage framework and coupled to the inlet portion. The outer conduit member is telescoped over the first member for longitudinal movement to permit extension and retraction of the outer member.

Both the rotational and angular movement and the telescopic movement are provided by a suitable power and drive means which can be separately controlled. The drive means preferably include suitable hydraulic motor means. Thus, the telescoped conduit means may be carried by a movable beam provided with a rack or chain which mates with and is reversible driven from a hydraulic rotary motor mounted upon a beam track.

The carriage, in accordance with another novel aspect of this invention, includes a gear or sprocket section with a chain drive looped about the sector. A pair of hydraulic cylinder drive means are connected to the opposite end of the chain drive and by expansion and contraction of the means the chain movement pivots the sprocket section and attached carriage.

The combination of the limited angular orientation of the outer conduit member and the telescopic movement allows the positioning of the discharge and allows the operator to drop the discharging concrete in a relatively even pattern and significantly reduces the necessity of manual distribution of the dropped concrete.

In accordance with a particularly novel aspect of the present invention, the telescopic conduit members are formed of a rigid metal and are supported with a reasonably close tolerance between the inner or first conduit member and the outer or second conduit member. A flexible seal is replaceably attached at the outer end of fixed conduit member to seal the gap and wipe on the inner surface of the outer conduit as it is retracted. Alternatively a hardened ring may be employed, although there will normally be slight leakage at the joint. Although the leakage may be sufficiently minimal as to be of no consequence, the appearance may be unacceptable. Further, applicant has found that the heavy loads in the conduit tend to cause distortion of the coaxial alignment with a loading of the one edge of the seal. This of course results in seal wear with periodic replacement required. Applicant minimizes seal replacement requirements by providing a special prestress boom support which more fully maintains the desired coaxial alignment of the conduits. Thus, the movable conduit is carried by a special channel beam unit to minimize the boom weight. A pre-load tongue rod is secured by a suitable bracket to the top of the beam and projects longitudinally to the opposite ends. The rod is secured to the beam ends portions under tension to preload the steel boom and maintain accurate alignment of the coaxial telescoped conduit members.

In a particularly novel construction, a pair of U- shaped channels are mounted in spaced back to back relation with the top and bottom flanges joined by a suitable plate or the like. The preload rod is attached to the top wall as by block welded to the center of the beam and projecting upwardly therefrom. The rod rests on the block and may be secured thereto as by welding. The opposite ends of the rod project downwardly between the channels, at the opposite ends of the beam, and particularly pass through end brackets braces. The rod is threaded to receive tightening nuts which abut the end brackets and provide for adjustable tensioning of this preload rod.

In a particular practical and novel construction the mobile framework is provided with a plurality of supporting wheels at least one of which includes a hydraulic motor for limited on site movement of the distributing unit, as well as loading thereof upon a trailer for over-the-road transport. The unit preferably includes pairs of similarly laterally spaced front and rear wheels for accurate tracking of the unit along a given path. The front wheels are preferably mounted for manual steering for controlled turning of the unit from a given path.

The framework includes a plurality of stabilizing arms which extend outwardly to define at least a threepoint stabilizing support with the adjacent ground or supporting bed. The arms are mounted for retraction in which they are raised from the road or supporting bed to an over-the-road transport position.

, Thepresent invention thus provides a relatively lightweight, heavy duty concrete pumping accessory which is particularly adapted to versatile application in various construction projects. The accessory apparatus can be readily used by relatively small operators and in construction projects which are not so specialized and large as to justify specially designed devices for a single continuous operation during the life of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings furnished herewith illustrate a preferred construction of the present invention in which the above advantages and features are clearly disclosed as well as others which will be readily understood from the following description.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a concrete distributing boom apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and with the unit in an operating state;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view with parts broken away and sectioned to more clearly illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally on line 44 of FIG. 3 and more clearly illustrating the telescopic joint connection of the boom assembly shown in FIGS. l-3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary views illustrating the interpipe seal shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating an alternate seal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a concrete distributing unit or apparatus 1 constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present invention is shown with a construction area 2 and interconnecting a separate concrete pump unit 3 to a boommounted discharge or outlet conduit or pipe 4. Generally, the concrete pumping unit 3 includes an input element 5 adapted to receive a slurry material such as concrete and the like and is constructed to pressurize the material through a suitable pumping element, not shown, and discharge it through an outlet conduit 6. In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, the separate distributing apparatus 1 has an input conduit 7 connected to the output conduit 6 of the pump apparatus 3.

A suitable releasable clamp 8 provides a rigid and firm interconnection between the inlet conduit 7 and the adjacent end of the pumping conduit of pipe 6, which may consist of a plurality of similar pipe sections releasably connected by suitable clamps. A highly satisfactory releasable coupler is disclosed in Applicants copending application, entitled PIPE COUPLING WITH RELEASABLE CONNECTOR, which was filed on Apr. 23, 1971 and bears Ser. No. 136,682. The pipe extends inwardly along the front section of the unit 1 with the inner end similarly connected to two piece S-shaped pipe means. Coupling pipes similar to pipe 7 are widely employed in the concrete pumping systems and the distributing apparatus is readily adapted to direct interconnection with present day systems. The conduit 7 is connected via the S-shaped pipe means which includes a pair of pipes 9 and 10 to a telescopic pipe means 11 which is movably mounted on the end of a boom unit 12, as hereinafter described, to the outlet to provide for selective discharge of the concrete in selective spaced relation to the concrete pumping apparatus 3. The present invention is particularly directed to the concept of providing a versatile and efficient separate mobile unit distinct from an extended discharge conduit system and the concrete pump unit 3, and such elements or systems are not shown or described in any further detail other than to describe interconnection to the illustrated embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated distributing apparatus 1 includes a rectangular box-like frame 13 forming a part of a wheeled support assembly. A pair of trailing wheels 14 are secured to the opposite sides of the trailing portion of the frame 13. The rear wheels 14 are preferably constructed with individual hydraulic motors 14a to permit the convenient on-site movement and positioning of the apparatus 1. A triangular frame section 15 is welded or otherwise attached to frame 13 and terminates in an apex. The frames 13 and 15 are formed of a suitable channel iron or the like to provide a rigid supporting structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the forward end of section is also provided with a hitch connector 16 for selective releasable interconnection of the forward end of the framework to a truck or other towing vehicle, not shown, or to a winch systern for on-site positioning, if desired. A front bracket 16a permits lateral placement of the pipe 7 for convenient interconnecting and removal with respect to the concrete pumping apparatus 3. A pair of forward wheels 17 are attached to the front or apex of frame 13 and includes a lateral support brace 18 to which the wheels are pivotally mounted and spaced in accordance with the rear wheels to permit accurate tracking of the apparatus. The front wheels 17 are connectedto a steering wheel assembly 18a, such as the conventional automobile type mechanism for steering of the apparatus.

The rectangular frame 13 defines an open network or framework within which a pivot support 19 is provided for the boom 12 and the S-curved coupling conduit or pipes 9 and 10. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the curved inlet pipe 9 is mounted to the trailing portion of the wheeled assembly and terminates immediately adjacent the frame 13. The inlet pipe 9 may be a metal pipe having a peripheral end groove to permit interconnection to the elongated inlet conduit through a releasable clamp 20 similar to claimp 8.

The inlet pipe 9 is fixedly mounted within a frame 13 and extends through a forward support wall 21 with the upper end on vertical axis. The upper end is connected to the similarly constructed and located lower end of the conduit 10 which curves upwardly and outwardly to carry the concrete between the pivot supporting column 19 to the upper horizontally disposed boom mounted unit 11. The two adjacent vertical end portions of conduits 9 and 10 are coupled through a suitable rotating coupling 22 which permits the fixed mounting of the inlet conduit 9 to the framework 13 while permitting the swivel mounting of the transfer conduit 10.

The transfer conduit 10 terminates in a horizontally disclosed boom pipe 23 of unit 11 for carrying of the concrete material outwardly. A pipe 24 is telescoped over the pipe 23 with the outer end releasably connected to the discharge conduit 4. The telescoping pipe section 24 is carried by longitudinally adjustable boom unit 12 to permit extension and retraction with respect to the pipe 23 and thereby permit proper locations of the discharge conduit. The present'invention also provides for the circumferential or angular orientation of the discharge pipe 4 with respect to the pumping apparatus 3, as follows.

The pivot supporting column 19 is defined by a pair of spaced metal channels mounted within the framework 13 and projects upwardly above the top of the rectangular frame to slidably support boom 12. Each channel 19 is a U-shaped beam with the lower end connected to a rearwardly extending thrust bearing plate 25 which is rotatably journaled in pivot unit 26 on the base of the frame 13.

Vertically spaced bearing plates 27 and 27a are welded within the bottom portion of frame 13 in aligned relation with suitable bearings 28 with the pivot bearing plate 25 projecting therebetween. A pivot pin 29 passes through aligned openings in the plates 27 and 25 and 27a and associated bushing or bearing 28 to pivotally connect column 19 to the frame 13. A top bearing plate 30 is welded to the upper end of the channels 19 in downwardly spaced relation to the boom 12 and rests on a top support plate 32 secured to the main frame 13 and particularly the front wall 21. A pivot shaft 33 interconnects the upper plates 30-32 to pivotally mount the support column 19 on the main frame 13.

The main frame 13 is provided with the vertical A- frame wall 21 with suitable gussets 34 between the bearing plate 32 and the wall 21 to rigidly support the assembly.

A drive sprocket 35 is secured to the bearing plate 30 of the pivot frame and projects outwardly in a horizontal plane overlying the A-frame section. A drive chain bracket 36 is secured to the upper end of anvoutward extension of the bearing plate of the extension. A drive chain 37 is supported in and meshes with the back periphery of the sprocket 35 and with the opposite chain ends looped back over a pair of idler wheels 38 and 39 and connected to rigid links 40 which are pivoted to the outer ends of bracket 36 as at 41. A pair of hydraulic power cylinder assemblies 42 and 43 are similarly also pivotally secured as at 44 to the bracket 36 and connected to oppositely position the idler gears 38 and 39.

Thus, the first cylinder is pivotally secured to the bracket 36 with the piston rod 45 extending outwardly and terminating at the outer end in a suitable bifurcated bracket with the idler gear 38 rotatably mounted therein. The chain loops about the gear to the attachment link 40 and about the sprocket 35 to the opposite idler unit. The piston rod 45 extends along a line defining an angle with respect to the boom which is affixed to the gear unit and pivot support 19. The second piston cylinder assembly 43 is similarly secured to the opposite side of the sprocket. A small hydraulic pump or power source 46 which may be actuated from a suitable gasoline engine or the like, not shown, provides hydraulic power to the cylinders 42 and 43 for selective extension and retraction thereof. The hydraulic power source 46 includes a plurality of control levers 46a for selectively supplying and draining the assemblies 42 and 43 as well as operating other drives as hereinafter described. Generally, the hydraulic systems should be such that power applied to one cylinder provides for opposite draining of the opposite unit such that the units 42 and 43 operate in inverse manner to create the extension of one end of the chain 35 while retracting the opposite end. The movement of the chain 35 results in a drive force applied to the gear sector or sprocket 35 with a corresponding orientation of the pivot support 19 and the interconnected boom unit 12.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a boom support is attached to the upper end of the pivot support 19 and in particular includes a longitudinal track secured to the upper end of the pivot channels 19. The track includes a pair of oppositely disposed U-shaped channels 47 and 48 welded or otherwise secured to the upper end of the pivot support 19. The channels 47 and 48 open laterally in a horizontal and opposite direction. Suitable reinforcing braces 49 perferably interconnected the outer end of the boom support channels 47 and 48 to the pivot support 19. The front and rear ends of the track channels 47 and 48 are also interconnected by suitable wheel plates 50 with suitable guide wheels 51 rotatably mounted by wheel shafts 52 to the end of the track and located inwardly thereof. A boom 53 of unit 12 is a special beam construction located between the track sidewall channels 47 and 48 and supported on the wheels to permit convenient longitudinal movement and positioning of the boom assembly.

The boom 53 is moved in the track by a drive rack means shown as chain 54 secured to the upper surface of the boom 53 between a pair of spaced chain anchor blocks 53a. A reversible hydraulic motor 55 is mounted to the top of one track channel 48 and drives a sprocket 56 which meshes with the chain 54 to correspondingly position the boom 53. The motor 55 is coupled to the output of the hydraulic pump unit 46 through a suitable manual control lever for selection operation and positioning of the boom 1 and corresponding extension and collapse of the telescoped conduit means 11.

The telescoping pipe means 11 includes thinner pipe 23 releasably secured to pipe as a clamp unit 57. The outer pipe 24 is secured to the outer end of the boom for selective positioning of the discharge pipe 4 to which it is attached. The innermost end of pipe 24 abutts a depending bracket 58 welded or otherwise secured in spaced relation to the outermost end of the boom.

In addition, a pair of releasably clamps 59 and 60 are secured to the underside of the boom 53 in longitudinally spaced relation. The illustrated clamps 59 and 60 are similar to the'hand actuated clamp previously described and more fully disclosed in applicants copending application. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the clamps 59 and 60 are mounted in an inverted manner with the releasable handles located to the underside of the clamp units. Thus, the telescoping pipe 24 extends outwardly from the transfer pipe 23 with the outer end releasably interconnected to the discharge conduit 4 through a similar clamp 61.

The pipe 24 is larger than the pipe 23 to allow the free telescopic movement. The annular gap between the pipes are sealed by a special sliding seal unit 62 affixed to pipe 23 and including a flexible sealing lip 63 wiping against the inner surface of pipe 24. The lip 63 is integrally formed with an annular seal body 64 having a circular inner diameter which encircles the outer end of pipe 23. The flexible seal 63 64 is formed of any suitable rubber-like flexible material and may advantageously be formed of a suitable polyurethane. The lip 63 projects forwardly and outwardly into engagement with the pipe 24, with an inclined, forward wall 65 engaged by the concrete material which forces the lip outwardly into a reliable wiping position. The outer surface of the seal body 64 is generally V-shaped in cross-section with a seal retainer 65 of metal or the like encircling the body 64 in inwardly spaced relation to the pipe 24. The retainer 65 is an annular member spaced from the outer conduit 24 and having a back edge or wall 66 abutting the seal 64 and an inner V- shaped cross-section mating with that of the seal. A plurality of attachment screws 67, shown as four, thread through equicircumferentially spaced threaded opening 68 in the seal retainer 65. The inner ends of screws 67 are pointed to pierce the seal 64 and project into aligned openings 69 in the inner pipe 23. This firmly locks the seal 64 in position while permitting convenient replacement of the seal due to wear or other replacement requirements. Further, the seal is located adjacent the discharge end of the system and thus is at a relatively low'pressure point which permits an effective and long life seal.

The forward extension of the pipe 24, particularly when filled with concrete and the like, creates a heavy load on the boom 53. Thus the pipes 23 and 24, as well as the other conduits, are formed of the standard concrete pumping steel piping. As a practical matter, the structural steel employed in the beam structure has a certain stretch factor. The heavy load of the concrete filled metal pipes tends to bend the beam and cause tilting of the outer pipe 24 from a coaxial alignment with pipe 23. This may result in a rapid distruction of the seal 64. Further, the boom assembly is swung in a horizontal plane and significant lateral bening forces are created which Applicant has found requires a relatively strong beam construction. The particular construction of boom 53 as shown has been found to provide an extremely satisfactory support.

Thus, referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the boom 53 includes a pair of U-shaped channels or beams 70 and 71 mounted in back-to-back and outwardly facing or opening relationship. The channels 70 and 71 are laterally spaced and rigidly interconnected by top and bottom plates 72 and 73 to form a rigid beam. The outwardly opening channels define support tracks mating with the support wheels 57 as previously described. A preload bar or rod 74 is secured to the beam to compensate for the inherent bend or stretch factor. A spacing block 75 is secured to the top wall 72 of the beam and may be welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto. The upper surface is recessed slightly to accommodate the preload rod 74 which is shown as a round member. The rod 74 oppositely extends longitudinal from the block 75 and downwardly between the outer ends of the two beams and 71 and, particularly, through a preload bracket or brace 76 and 77, which are suitably apertured for that purpose. The braces 76 and 77 are welded or otherwise rigidly fixed in place at an angle essentially normal to that of the corresponding end of rod 75. The outer ends of the rod are threaded and similarly receive a tension nut 78 which is drawn up on the rod and against the brace to place the rod 74 under tension and preload the boom 53.

Applicant has found that this construction very significantly improves the alignment of the pipes 23 and 24 with a corresponding increased seal life.

In addition, a pair of stabilizing elements or arms 80 and 81 are connected to the back of the frame 13 which in cooperation with the triangular frame section 15 and front supporting wheels 17 establish a firm support of the mobile unit. The stabilizing arms 80 and 81 are similarly constructed and pivotally attached to the opposite rear corner of the frame and arm 80 is particularly described. The outer end of the arm 80 is provided with a pivotally attached stabilizing pad member 82 to increase the ground engagement area with the arm in the stabilizing position shown. Arm' 80 is mounted to frame 13 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis for selective positioning between an outer stabilizing position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a raised and collapsed transport position as shown in phantom in FIG. 3.

More particularly, the arm 80 includes a pivot bracket 83 having end pivot plates 84 aligned with the ends of a pair of upper and lower brace members 85 secured to the main frame 13 and extending outwardly beyond the wheels. The frame and arm are pivotally connected by a suitable pivot pin 86 which projects downwardly between the plates 84 and brace members 85. A latch pin releasably locks the pivot plate to frame in the outer position.

The arm 80 is also pivotally attached as at 87 to the lower end of the bracket 83 to permit pivotal movement in a vertical plane. The arm is mechanically positioned by a supporting piston unit 88 connected between the pivot support bracket 83 and the arm 80. This permits raising of the arm 80 upwardly from the ground level generally to the level of the main frame 13. A latch plate and pin assembly includes overlapping plates 89 and 90 with a latch pin 91 to releasably hold the arm 80 in the extended support position. To release the arm, the pin 91 is removed and swung to the transport position extending parallel to the framework 13, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

In operation, the mobile unit is transported to the construction site. The rear driven wheel 14 with the front steering wheels 17 permit placement of the unit 1 to the desired site position. The apparatus 1 is located and mounted in a stabilized support position with the arms 80 and 81 correspondingly swung outwardly and lowered into ground engagement to provide a stable multiple-point support for the apparatus 1. The inlet conduit 7 is secured to the inlet supply pipe 6 and a suitable discharge pipe 4 is interconnected to the boom mounted pipe 24 for transfer of the concrete material through the boom assembly. The hydraulic controls are actuated to selectively actuate the motor 55 to horizontally extend and retract the boom 53 and attached pipe 24, and actuate the cylinder units 42 and 43 to angularly orient the assembly in a horizontal plane and thereby locate the discharge pipe 4 asdesired. The apparatus is then in position for discharging of the concrete, and as the concrete is deposited, the operator may continuously adjust the controls to distribute the concrete over the area within the limits of the boom movement. The apparatus 1 is then readily repositioned by operation of the hydraulic controls and the hydraulically driven wheels to continue the concrete placement.

For example, in the laying of a bridge roadway, the apparatus may be connected by a long series of interconnected pipes 6 to a pump'supply at the end of the bridge. As the apparatus moves toward the pump supply, one or more of the pipes 6 are removed and the apparatus 1 moves toward the supply on suitable supporting tracks. As the apparatus 1 is as such relatively light, the track structure may be readily provided and may even be a simple series of aligned appropriate-weight boards.

The apparatus 1 provides a very stable arrangement as the weight of the discharging concrete carried by pipes 23 and 24 is balanced somewhat by the concrete in the inlet pipe 7. Thus, the framework 3 and stabilizing arms 6 need only compensate for the difference and the total apparatus may be readily and safely applied to on-site construction.

When it is desired to remove the apparatus, the pipe clamp 8 is released to separate the apparatus from the concrete pumping apparatus 3. The apparatus may readily be cleaned by hosing of the apparatus and flushing of the several pipe sections and the like. The stabilizing arms 80 and 81 are retracted and pivoted to the transport position. The apparatus 1 is then readily mounted on a trailer by usof a ramp means and the hydraulic wheel motor 14a transferred to another construction site for subsequent discharge of the concrete or other material. Alternatively, the front wheel construction permits limited towing of the apparatus between placement sites. Although the illustrated flexible seal unit is preferred, a semi-liquid tight seal might be employed; for example, as shown in FIG. 7. An internal sliding seal ring 92 may be secured at the outer end of pipe 23. Ring 92 is closely spaced from the inner surface of pipe 24 and creates a liquid semi-seal between the two pipes. The ring 92 is preferably formed ot a hardened steel or the like and may be spaced from pipe 23 in the order of 1/32 of an inch. The ring 92 is secured in place by one or more screws 93 to provide a releasable attachment. The horizontal positioning of the apparatus and its mounting permits the use of a relatively lightweight assembly and thus particularly adapts the apparatus to-movement and ready location in various contracting areas wherein the more complicated and-heavier duty units, which have been heretofore suggested, required movement and location only in very firm sub-soil supportingareas.

The present invention thus provides a simple and versatile distributing apparatus.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said conduit'means extending outwardly from the upper end of the support means, an inlet conduit means secured to the lower portion of the support means and extending outwardly in the opposite direction from said first and second conduit means, a transfer conduit means located adjacent the carriage and having a pivot joint, said transfer conduit means connecting said inlet conduit means to said first conduit means, said inlet conduit means providing a counterbalance to said first and second conduit means.

2. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 1 including a coupling conduit means including a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, and means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means.

3. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said transport means including a pair of retractable stabilizing means secured to the trailing end and selectively positioned horizontally and vertically between an outwardly projected ground engaging position and a retracted ground disengaging position.

4. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extendingoutwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said first and second conduits being metal pipes mounted with an annular clearance therebetween, a seal means disposed within said clearance to seal the opening therebetween, a traveling boom connected to said support means and having attachment means to carry said second conduit means, said boom being formed of metal, a preload element secured to the top of the boom and attached to the opposite ends of the boom with the element under tension to maintain the mounting of the second conduit means.

5. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said seal means includes a flexible seal secured to the inner conduit means and having a wiping lip extending outwardly into sealing engagement with said first conduit means.

6. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said seal has an annular body encircling the first conduit means adjacent the discharge end of the first conduit means and said lip projections forwardly and outwardly with an inclined front wall.

7. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said seal means includes a rubber-like seal having an annular body encircling the forward end of the first conduit means and having a forwardly and outwardly projecting lip with a correspondingly inclined forward wall, a retainer ring encircling said annular body and having a back stop wall abutting the back edge of the annular body, said retainer ring and inner conduit means having a plurality of longitudinally aligned locking openings, a plurality of retaining screw members threaded into said openings and passing through said annular body and into said locking opening in said inner conduit means.

8. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said ring and annular body have complementing V-shaped surfaces.

9. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said boom includes a pair of laterally spaced beams interconnected by top and bottom wall members, said preload element being a rod, a spacing block secured to the top wall generally centrally of the ends, said rod resting on said block and extending toward the opposite ends and downwardly between said spaced beams, tension braces secured to the opposite ends of said beams and having openings with said rod passing therethrough, and clamping means attached to the ends of the rod and abutting the braces to hold said rod under tension.

10. The distributing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said beams are U-shaped beams mounted in back-toback relation and opening outwardly to define suppo ting wheel tracks, said braces being plate elements welded between said beams and angularly oriented to a position substantially normal to the rod, and said clamping means including nuts threaded onto the rod and abutting said plate elements.

11. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said transport means includes a framework with a pair of trailing supporting wheel means secured to the opposite sides of the framework and a front steering wheel means at the forward end, and a hydraulic motor means connected directly to at least one of said wheel means for restricted on-site positioning of said apparatus.

12. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said carriage includes a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot post, a chain drive support secured to the transport means and including a pair of hydraulic cylinder units including operating members extending outwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the gear sector and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit to said pivot support.

13. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second conduit means includes a first conduit connected to the underside of the boom member and having an inner seal means.

14. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separategor grete pum p means cornprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, a power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said rotating carriage including a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot support means, a chain drive support secured to the transport means and including a pair of reciprocating operating members extending outwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the gear section, and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit means to said pivot support means.

15. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said vertical support means includes a post structure having a pair of bearing plates coupled to a pair of plates secured to the transport means, a pivot means pivotally connecting said plates, a horizontal guide track secured to the upper end of the post structure and extending horizontally outwardly, a horizontal boom member mounted in said guide track, and means connecting said second conduit means to the horizontal member for corresponding positioning to thereby vary the position relative to said first conduit means.

16. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 15 including a coupling conduit means including a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, and means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means.

17. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said boom member includes outwardly opening channel members and said track includes supporting wheels located within the flanges of said channel members, said second conduit means having a first conduit attached to the underside of the channel members, said first conduit having a seal means at the outermost end to seal the gap means between the first and second conduit means.

18. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and

power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said transport means including a base frame with a pair of trailing wheels mounted to opposite sides of the frame and a forward support means located forwardly and centrally of the trailing wheels, motor means coupled to each of said trailing wheels, a pivot post pivotally secured to the trailing portion of the base frame, said carriage having a horizontal guide track secured to the upper end of the post and extending radially of the pivot post, a horizontal boom member mounted in said guide track, means connecting said second conduit means to the horizontal member for corresponding positioning to thereby vary the position relative to said first conduit, and with a selected clearance therebetween, a coupling conduit means includes a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, an inlet conduit means releasably secured to the first curved member and resting on said frame, said inlet conduit means serving to counterbalance said first and second conduit means, means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means, and a seal unit secured to the forward end of the first conduit means and projecting outwardly to seal the clearance between said first and second conduit means.

19. In a mobile concrete type distributing apparatus having a wheeled transport means with a pivot support means supporting a distributing conduit means, a positioning apparatus comprising a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot support means, a chain drive support secured to the transport and including a pair of hydraulic cylinder units including operating members extending outwardly adjacent the 0pposite sides of the gear section, and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit means to said pivot support means.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 1 3 DATED January 14, 1975 NVENTOR(S) I ROBERT E. WESTERLUND ET AL It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, Line 27, after "similar to" cancel "claimp" and insert clamp Q Column 9, Line 66, after "trailer by" cancel "us" and insert use CLAIM l2, Column 12, Line 25, after "claim" cancel "l0" and insert l8 Signed and Scaled this sixth D y of January 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Commissioner ofParenrs and Trademarks 

1. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said conduit means extending outwardly from the upper end of the support means, an inlet conduit means secured to the lower portion of the support means and extending outwardly in the opposite direction from said first and second conduit means, a transfer conduit means located adjacent the carriage and having a pivot joint, said transfer conduit means connecting said inlet conduit means to said first conduit means, said inlet conduit means providing a counterbalance to said first and second conduit means.
 2. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 1 including a coupling conduit means including a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, and means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means.
 3. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said transport means including a pair of retractable stabilizing means secured to the trailing end and selectively positioned horizontally and vertically between an outwardly projected ground engaging position and a retracted ground disengaging position.
 4. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said first and second conduits being metal pipes mounted with an annular clearance therebetween, a seal means disposed within said clearance to seal the opening therebetween, a traveling boom connected to said support means and having attachment means to carry said second conduit means, said boom being formed of metal, a preload element secured to the top of the boom and attached to the opposite ends of the boom with the element under tension to maintain the mounting of the second conduit means.
 5. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said seal means includes a flexible seal secured to the inner conduit means and having a wiping lip extending outwardly into sealing engagement with said first conduit means.
 6. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said seal has an annular body encircling the first conduit means adjacent the discharge end of the first conduit means and said lip projections forwardly and outwardly with an inclined front wall.
 7. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said seal means includes a rubber-like seal having an annular body encircling the forward end of the first conduit means and having a forwardly and outwardly projecting lip with a correspondingly inclined forward wall, a retainer ring encircling said annular body and having a back stop wall abutting the back edge of the annular body, said retainer ring and inner conduit means having a plurality of longitudinally aligned locking openings, a plurality of retaining screw members threaded into said openings and passing through said annular body and into said locking opening in said inner conduit means.
 8. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said ring and annular body have complementing V-shaped surfaces.
 9. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 4 wherein said boom includes a pair of laterally spaced beams interconnected by top and bottom wall members, said preload element being a rod, a spacing block secured to the top wall generally centrally of the ends, said rod resting on said block and extending toward the opposite ends and downwardly between said spaced beams, tension braCes secured to the opposite ends of said beams and having openings with said rod passing therethrough, and clamping means attached to the ends of the rod and abutting the braces to hold said rod under tension.
 10. The distributing apparatus of claim 9 wherein said beams are U-shaped beams mounted in back-to-back relation and opening outwardly to define supporting wheel tracks, said braces being plate elements welded between said beams and angularly oriented to a position substantially normal to the rod, and said clamping means including nuts threaded onto the rod and abutting said plate elements.
 11. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said transport means includes a framework with a pair of trailing supporting wheel means secured to the opposite sides of the framework and a front steering wheel means at the forward end, and a hydraulic motor means connected directly to at least one of said wheel means for restricted on-site positioning of said apparatus.
 12. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 10 wherein said carriage includes a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot post, a chain drive support secured to the transport means and including a pair of hydraulic cylinder units including operating members extending outwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the gear sector and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit to said pivot support.
 13. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second conduit means includes a first conduit connected to the underside of the boom member and having an inner seal means.
 14. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a seaprate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, a power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said rotating carriage including a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot support means, a chain drive support secured to the transport means and including a pair of reciprocating operating members extending outwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the gear section, and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit means to said pivot support means.
 15. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said vertical support means includes a post structure having a pair of bearing plates coupled to a pair of plates secured to the transport means, a pivot means pivotally connecting said plates, a horizontal guide track secured to the upper end of the post structure and extending horizontally outwardly, a horizontal boom member mounted in said guide track, and means connecting said second conduit means to the horizontal member for corresponding positioning to thereby vary the position relative to Said first conduit means.
 16. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 15 including a coupling conduit means including a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, and means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means.
 17. The mobile concrete type distributing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said boom member includes outwardly opening channel members and said track includes supporting wheels located within the flanges of said channel members, said second conduit means having a first conduit attached to the underside of the channel members, said first conduit having a seal means at the outermost end to seal the gap means between the first and second conduit means.
 18. A mobile concrete type distributing apparatus for connection to a separate concrete pump means comprising a movable transport means having a vertical support means, a rotating carriage mounted on said support means, power means for selectively positioning said carriage, a concrete carrying conduit assembly including a first conduit means secured to said carriage and extending outwardly therefrom and a second conduit means telescoped with the outer end of said first conduit means, a concrete source connecting means for supplying of concrete to said conduit means, and power means for selectively and continuously positioning of said telescoped conduit means in a horizontal plane for the distribution of concrete in an even pattern over a receiving base, said transport means including a base frame with a pair of trailing wheels mounted to opposite sides of the frame and a forward support means located forwardly and centrally of the trailing wheels, motor means coupled to each of said trailing wheels, a pivot post pivotally secured to the trailing portion of the base frame, said carriage having a horizontal guide track secured to the upper end of the post and extending radially of the pivot post, a horizontal boom member mounted in said guide track, means connecting said second conduit means to the horizontal member for corresponding positioning to thereby vary the position relative to said first conduit, and with a selected clearance therebetween, a coupling conduit means includes a first curved member secured to the base frame with an upper end aligned and rotatably coupled with the vertical lower end of a second curved member, an inlet conduit means releasably secured to the first curved member and resting on said frame, said inlet conduit means serving to counterbalance said first and second conduit means, means connecting said second curved member to said first conduit means, and a seal unit secured to the forward end of the first conduit means and projecting outwardly to seal the clearance between said first and second conduit means.
 19. In a mobile concrete type distributing apparatus having a wheeled transport means with a pivot support means supporting a distributing conduit means, a positioning apparatus comprising a pivot gear sector secured to the upper end of the pivot support means, a chain drive support secured to the transport and including a pair of hydraulic cylinder units including operating members extending outwardly adjacent the opposite sides of the gear section, and a drive chain connected to said members and meshing with said gear sector, and means securing said first conduit means to said pivot support means. 